"[9][10] Physical arousal caused by PGAD can be very intense and persist for extended periods, days, weeks or years at a time.

[3] Pressure, pleasure, discomfort, pounding, pulsating, throbbing or engorgement may include the clitoris, penis, labia, vagina, perineum, or the anus.

[4] It was reported in a study that repeated masturbation (51%), strong or prolonged orgasms (50%), distraction (39%), intercourse (36%), exercise (25%), and cold compresses (13%) were the most relieving treatments that could be done without the help of a professional.

[15] Many patients felt practicing mindfulness allowed them to adjust to living with PGAD by recognizing thoughts and emotions corresponding to the symptoms and avoiding brooding over them.

[17] This treatment method focuses on reducing the anxiety that is caused by the condition and pushes the patient to develop effective distraction and relaxation techniques.

[18][19][20] The earliest references to PGAD may be Greek descriptions of hypersexuality (previously known as "satyriasis" and "nymphomania"), which confused persistent genital arousal with sexual insatiability.

[21] Women and men[21] with PGAD report having unstable mental health with thoughts of suicide and difficulty completing daily activities.

[24] Many people are afraid to leave their homes due to fears that PGAD symptoms may flare up while in public and they will not be able to wait until they are able to relieve themselves.

[23] Panic attacks (31.6%) and major depression (57.9%) were reported commonalities between patients occurring at least one year prior to the onset of PGAD symptoms.

[17][21] A small study found that several women and men began to see symptoms of PGAD after discontinuing the use of their selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.